How to walk away

If we really love someone, the last thing we want to do is walk away. We want them to change for their own sake and we want to help them change. In the end though, we can’t make anyone change. If after exhausting all resources they refuse to change, or if they are doing physical or significant mental damage to us, then love requires we tell them we love them too much to enable them to live a selfish life. Enabling someone’s own destruction is not love. It’s selfishness. When to move on though is a very tough call. This is why we need Jesus. He will make it clear in our lives. When He does, if we don’t walk away we are no longer loving others. We are loving ourself. Continually feeding people who can feed themselves is hurting them not loving them. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 - For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow brother.